Opposition rally on Friday unlikely to be peaceful: police

Maldives Police Service reiterated Thursday that they would not allow opposition parties to hold a rally Friday, deeming it would not be peaceful.

In a press conference, spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Ahmed Shifan declared that there were calls on social media for the public to join the rally on Friday, with some actively working to increase participants.

He stated that, while the police were being lenient towards gatherings that could be allowed under the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act during the ongoing state of emergency, police intelligence thus far suggested that Friday’s rally would not be peaceful.

Repeating that the police would thus not allow it to take place, he urged the public to refrain from taking part.

Shifan further warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone that incited unlawful violence.

This was the police’s second warning against the rumoured rally. However, the opposition coalition has said that it did not plan to hold any major rallies or protests this Friday.